York County landowners and farmers urge commissioners to back large solar project

At the July 12 York County Board of Commissioners meeting, several landowners and farmers spoke during public comment to urge commissioners to allow a proposed large solar project to proceed.

"When you own the ground, you should have the right to plant cucumbers or tomatoes or whatever you want to do with that," said Marlon Rimpel of Cool Junction, who identified himself as part of the EDF project, telling commissioners he saw no reason the county should block landowners from participating. "Maybe this will work. Maybe it won't work. But we're trying to solve problems."

Others detailed the financial terms and local benefits they expect from the project. Paul Wise, who said he works for the Dorchester Farmers Cooperative and serves on the NRD board, said his farm hosts the project's substation and that he had brought a personal lease summary to the meeting. "That $600 an acre the first year — that's the going rate," Wise said, noting lease payments and a clause for noncompliance that he said would protect landowners should the company withdraw.

Hank McGowan, a longtime area farmer, framed his support around water and school funding. He said the project would reduce groundwater pumping and nitrate runoff and that a 310-megawatt project could generate roughly $654,000 a year for the local school district. "If I thought it was going to hurt anybody, I wouldn't be a part of it," McGowan said.

Supporters also addressed technical worries raised elsewhere. An unnamed resident who spoke during the forum said modern solar panels use tempered glass and internal films similar to vehicle windshields, and quoted an industry source saying panels are solid-state and not likely to shed toxic granular material. Several speakers noted warranty and insurance considerations for panel damage from hail.

Not all questions were resolved in the meeting. Some commenters and community members have raised environmental and placement concerns in earlier meetings and local coverage; at this session speakers defending the project disputed those characterizations but did not produce on-the-record, independent studies backing all claims. Paul Wise referenced ongoing NRD conversations and a university study that he said will examine area health questions, but that claim was not substantiated during the meeting.

The board did not take a vote on the solar project during this session; the matter was discussed during the public comment portion and the meeting proceeded to routine administrative business.

The public comment period showcased both the potential economic benefit for participating landowners and continuing community concerns about environmental and technical impacts. Commissioners did not announce a schedule for further hearings on the project during the meeting.